Essential Albums

Gamma Ray at Dong Open Air 2015: two guitarists stand side by side at the front of the stage, one with a Flying V and one with a white guitar, in blue stage light with the drum kit behind them.

The Best Power Metal Songs

Julien Vasseur · Oct 21, 2026

Two members of Angus McSix on stage at Rockharz Open Air 2023: a guitarist smiles beside a microphone stand while the singer in gold armour sings into a handheld microphone.

The Best Power Metal Albums of the 2020s So Far

Julien Vasseur · Oct 20, 2026

Kamelot singer Tommy Karevik sings into a handheld microphone with one hand raised, in front of stage haze, at the Masters of Rock festival in Vizovice, Czech Republic, 2018.

The Best Power Metal Albums of the 2010s

Julien Vasseur · Oct 18, 2026

Avantasia at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2008: frontman Tobias Sammet at centre stage, microphone in one hand and the other arm raised, with a guitarist and the rest of the band playing behind him.

The Best Power Metal Albums of the 2000s

Julien Vasseur · Oct 17, 2026

A singing guitarist of Running Wild at a microphone in a bandana and a studded black jacket with gold trim, a burst of flame behind him and the band's skull-and-crossbones backdrop at the right edge of the stage

The Best Power Metal Albums of the 90s

Julien Vasseur · Oct 15, 2026

Manilla Road on stage at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, October 2017: the singer leans into the microphone with both arms thrown open, a guitarist at the left and the drummer under a skull-and-crossbones backdrop at the right.

The Best Power Metal Albums of the 80s

Julien Vasseur · Oct 14, 2026

Hail of Bullets guitarist headbanging mid-riff on stage, red stage light behind him

Bands Like Sabaton

Julien Vasseur · Oct 5, 2026

Dream Evil performing at Sweden Rock Festival 2024 in front of their backdrop banner

The Swedish Power Metal Bands

Julien Vasseur · Oct 3, 2026

Anvil performing live at Musichall Geiselwind, Germany, 23 April 2016, two members playing guitar and bass on stage, one in a Canadian flag shirt

The Heavy Metal Albums That Define the Genre

Declan Rourke · Oct 3, 2026

Dio performing live on stage in front of the band's giant Egyptian sphinx and pyramid set, mid 1980s

The Top Heavy Metal Bands

Declan Rourke · Oct 1, 2026

The three members of Kotiteollisuus photographed together against a dark background

The Finnish Heavy Metal Bands

Declan Rourke · Sep 30, 2026

Skid Row guitarist performing live in Detroit, March 2023, red stage light against an American flag backdrop

The Hair Metal Bands

Declan Rourke with Saint Sylveszter · Sep 29, 2026

Joel O’Keeffe of Airbourne shouting into the microphone at the Roundhouse in London in February 2026

The Australian Heavy Metal Bands

Declan Rourke · Sep 28, 2026

The four members of Sacrifice photographed together in leather jackets in the mid 1980s

The Canadian Heavy Metal Bands

Declan Rourke · Sep 27, 2026

The six members of Cristal y Acero photographed together against a plain background in 2025

The Mexican Heavy Metal Bands

Declan Rourke · Sep 25, 2026

Queensryche on stage at Islington Assembly Hall in June 2026, the whole band and the backdrop in frame

The Best Heavy Metal Live Albums

Declan Rourke with Julien Vasseur · Sep 11, 2026

Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. on stage at Rock City in Nottingham in July 2025, the skull-topped microphone stand beside him

The Heavy Metal Concept Albums

Declan Rourke · Sep 9, 2026

Cannibal Corpse, the band whose two different album sleeves drive collectors to chase both, in a recent press photo from their own site

The Death Metal Records Collectors Chase

Rafael Quintero · Sep 8, 2026